The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, Jr., has dismissed allegations that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was used to fund Boko Haram. He emphasized that the U.S. was the first country to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organization.
During a congressional hearing, U.S. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) claimed in a report titled The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud that taxpayer funds had been misused to support Boko Haram.
However, following a meeting with Nigerian governors, Ambassador Mills strongly refuted this, stating:
“No country has been a stronger critic of Boko Haram’s violence and disregard for human life than the United States. We designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organization in 2013 to block its financial activities, facilitate arrests, and enhance U.S.-Nigeria cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
“We have strict policies to ensure that no USAID or other U.S. assistance is diverted to terrorist groups. There is absolutely no evidence that U.S. funds have gone to Boko Haram. If such evidence were found, we would immediately investigate with Nigerian authorities.”
Ambassador Mills in his statement outlined four key areas of U.S. engagement in Nigeria:
- Strengthening Trade and Investment – Enhancing business relations between Nigeria and the U.S.
- Promoting Transparency and Anti-Corruption Efforts – Supporting initiatives that empower voices advocating for accountability.
- Increasing Engagement at the State and Local Levels – Expanding cooperation with Nigerian states and local governments.
- Sustaining Healthcare Programs – Transitioning successful U.S.-funded health programs, such as HIV and polio eradication, to Nigerian management.
He also noted that the recent 90-day pause on U.S. foreign assistance was a temporary review by the new administration.
“No aid has been cut yet. Secretary of State Marcus Rubio has clarified that this is about making assistance more effective and aligning it with U.S. interests. Humanitarian aid—such as support for HIV patients, maternal health, and displaced persons—continues under waivers,” he said.
Ambassador Mills reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to Nigeria, stating that local governance strengthening would be a priority, particularly with the anticipated increase in local government autonomy.
